Fact 1: The Land of Ancient Inventions
Egypt can be credited with many fascinating and practical inventions. Did you know the Egyptians invented paper, pens, locks, keys, and even toothpaste? Around 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians mastered the art of creating paper from papyrus plants, thus revolutionizing written communication.
Fact 2: World's Oldest Dress
The world's oldest known dress, estimated to be about 5,000 years old, was found in Egypt. Preserved in perfect condition, the Tarkhan Dress currently resides in the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London.
Fact 3: Not all Pharaohs were Men
Contrary to popular belief, not all Egyptian pharaohs were men. Hatshepsut, Cleopatra VII, and Nefertiti are a few examples of women who ruled Ancient Egypt, breaking the gender barrier thousands of years ago.
Fact 4: The Pyramids were not built by Slaves
Recent archaeological research has dispelled the myth that the pyramids were built by slaves. Evidence suggests that they were built by paid laborers who considered it an honor to participate in such an important project.
Fact 5: The Calendar We Use Today Is Inspired By The Egyptians
The Ancient Egyptians were the first to establish a 365-day year, divided into 12 months. This system is deemed to be the precursor of the Gregorian calendar we use today.
Fact 6: Egypt is home to the World's Oldest University
Al-Azhar University in Cairo, founded in 970–972 AD, is generally considered the world's oldest surviving university. It continues to offer education today, over a thousand years since its establishment.
Fact 7: The First Monotheistic Religion
Ancient Egypt is credited with the creation of the world's first monotheistic religion, under Pharaoh Akhenaten. This was several hundred years before the birth of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Fact 8: The Concept of Makeup Originated in Egypt
The Egyptians were big on makeup, and not just for aesthetic purposes. They believed that makeup had healing powers and could protect their skin from the harsh desert sun.
Fact 9: Cleopatra was not an Egyptian
One of the most famous Egyptian queens, Cleopatra, was not actually Egyptian by blood. She was part of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a family of Greek origin that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great.
Fact 10: Ancient Egyptians Loved Board Games
Board games were a popular form of entertainment in ancient Egypt. Senet, a board game similar to chess or backgammon, had a religious significance and was even depicted in the wall paintings of tombs.
Fact 11: Bookworms of the Ancient World
The Great Library of Alexandria in Egypt was the most significant library of the ancient world. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in a fire, erasing countless pieces of historical knowledge.
Fact 12: Egyptian Hieroglyphs were a Mystery Until the Rosetta Stone
The decoding of Egyptian hieroglyphs was a mystery for centuries. It was not until the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, with inscriptions in three different scripts, that scholars were finally able to decipher them.
Fact 13: Beer was a Currency
In ancient Egypt, beer was an essential part of their diet and was even used as currency. It was consumed daily by adults and children alike and was also a common offering to the gods.
Fact 14: The Sphinx Lost Its Nose to Target Practice
A popular legend says that Napoleon's troops shot off the Sphinx's nose, but this is simply not true. Paintings from before Napoleon's time clearly show the Sphinx without a nose.
Fact 15: Cats were Sacred Animals
Cats were not only pets in ancient Egypt but were also considered sacred animals. Killing a cat, even accidentally, was considered a grave sin and often resulted in the death penalty.
Fact 16: Ancient Egyptians Invented Breath Mints
Those ancient Egyptians really cared about their oral hygiene and invented what is perhaps the world's first breath mints, using myrrh, cinnamon, and frankincense.
Fact 17: Egyptian Pharaohs were literally 'God-Kings'
Pharaohs were considered god-kings in Ancient Egypt, meaning they were political and spiritual leaders. They connected the Egyptian people with their gods and were believed to be descendants of the gods themselves.
Fact 18: Beetles Have Symbolic Importance
Scarab beetles held significant symbolic importance in Ancient Egypt as they were associated with the sun god Ra, representing transformation and resurrection.
Fact 19: The Great Pyramid was the Tallest Structure for Centuries
The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest structure in the world for over 3,800 years until the completion of the Lincoln Cathedral in England around 1300 AD.
Fact 20: Egyptians Invented Bowling
Believe it or not, Egyptians invented a game very similar to modern-day bowling. Artifacts and drawings dating back to 3,200 BC prove that Egyptians played a game that involved rolling a stone at pins arranged in a similar pattern to current bowling pins.
By diving into these fascinating facts about Egypt, it's evident that this ancient civilization has significantly shaped the world we live in today. From pioneering major inventions to captivating the world with its majestic pyramids and temples, Egypt continues to be a source of unending fascination.